Deadline: 30-Oct-20
The Rhode Island Foundation and the Rhode Island Executive Office of Commerce have jointly established the Rhode Island Nonprofit Support Fund to assist Rhode Island-based nonprofits delivering program services or direct assistance to address COVID-19 related needs.
The purpose of the program is to support local nonprofits with direct service programs that respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals and/or communities in Rhode Island.
Funding Information
- Grant awards are anticipated to be in the range of $15,000 to $75,000.
- If awarded, funds must be expended by December 30, 2020.
Uses of Program Funds
- Eligible uses of funds:
- Program funds can be used for new or expanded program services or direct assistance that responds to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on individuals and/or communities. Eligible uses of funds are limited to new, direct costs that are incurred in the provision of these services and this direct assistance, including increased staffing, equipment, supplies, and material.
- Eligible Expenses must be consistent with the uses permitted under the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) as defined in guidance and FAQs issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury and updated from time to time.
- Applicants may not charge indirect cost rate or an administrative fee with respect to the services or direct assistance to be funded. Administrative costs are only allowable if they are direct and allocable to the specific project. More specifically, only direct costs are allowable, and only if:
- They are necessary expenditures incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- They were incurred during the time period beginning at the start of the period of performance and ending December 30, 2020.
- Expenditures must be direct and allocable to the specific project (2).
- Ineligible uses of funds:
- Expenses that have been or will be reimbursed by any other source, including other federal, state, local, and charitable sources, such as the FEMA Public Assistance program, PPP, EIDL, Restore RI, RIDOH programs, or other state-sponsored COVID-19 relief programs;
- Reimbursement of donors for donated items or services, previously donated; this includes reimbursement for items purchased by the nonprofit with funds specifically donated and designated for the response to COVID-19;
- Any expense not related to the current COVID-19 pandemic;
- Damages covered by insurance;
- Workforce bonuses or severance pay;
- Legal settlements;
- General economic development or capital improvement projects that are not necessary expenditures due to the COVID-19 pandemic;
- Any costs incurred prior to March 1, 2020.
- Any costs incurred after December 30, 2020.
Eligibility Criteria
In order to be eligible for this program applicant must meet the following criteria.
- Nonprofit Type: Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Rhode Island, or have a fiscal sponsor/agent. The following 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are ineligible for the program: nonprofit hospitals, educational institutions, and foundations.
- Nonprofit Size: Applicants must have no more than 100 full-time equivalent employees.
- Program Services & Direct Assistance: Applicants must provide program services or direct assistance that respond to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on individuals and/or communities. This assistance and these services include but are not limited to:
- Housing/homelessness prevention;
- Behavioural health services;
- Access to health care;
- Job training;
- Food insecurity;
- Youth services;
- Childcare;
- Academic/educational support;
- Case management or assistance in accessing an eligible state or federal public benefit;
- Community assistance related to COVID-19 adaptation, safety, and compliance; and
- Other individual and/or community needs directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Application Process
To apply, please carefully review the application criteria, and be sure you are submitting all of the necessary information and documents via their online system. You will be required to submit the following:
- Organization Information;
- Project Information;
- Organizational budget;
- Project budget;
- Form 990, 990EZ, or 990N; and
- 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter if not already on file at the Rhode Island Foundation
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2Hp8Wym